White grape with the power of a red. Definitely the global ambassador of Greek varieties. Salty, flinty, mouthwatering, full-bodied, high in alcohol. Aromas that bring lemons, green plums, and broken sea-shells to mind. Born on the island of Santorini, but thrives all around Greece.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
citrus fruit - green fruit - mineral - toast
Wine style
mineralic
yes
Its hometown is Nemea, but it is also grown in other regions of the Peloponnese and beyond. It can produce a range of styles. These are heart catchers with aromas of red cherries, strawberries, raspberries, sweet spices, and dark chocolate, with a velvet touch. The better examples are complex and worth ageing.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
chocolate - red fruit - spice
Wine style
Fruity - medium bodied - ripe - supple
yes
Grown in Northern Greece, with Naoussa considered as its hometown. A capricious variety that needs to be handled with respect. The wines are characterised by their acidity and tannin, with aromas that remind us of strawberries, plums, sour cherries, tomato paste, and black olives.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
forest floor - herbaceous - red fruit
Wine style
acidic - medium bodied - savoury - structured - tannic
yes
Most planted in the Northern part of Greece, but is quickly taking over the hearts of most producers. Can range from herbal, minty, citrusy, to more peachy and tropical in its aromas, always with a floral signature. Makes wines that have intensity, concentration, medium-full body with highish alcohol, but of medium acidity. Can handle oak.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
floral - herbaceous - stone fruit
Wine style
Fruity - medium bodied - round
yes
White variety grown on the Cyclades, and mainly on Santorini, Naxos and Paros. Used to be a blending partner for Assyrtiko and Athiri, but in the last few years, some excellent varietal wines have been put on the market. Expressive and elegant on the nose, with jasmine, peach, kumquat and tropical fruits.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
floral - stone fruit - tropical fruit
Wine style
creamy - mineralic
yes
Attica is its hometown, but is grown widely in the neighbouring Boeotia. Moderately intense aromas of apples, white peach, and even melon when the fruit is riper. Ages well developing a honeyed-toasty character. Very cleverly oaked or resinated will make the wines particularly versatile partners to food.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
green fruit - honey - stone fruit - toast
Wine style
Fruity - medium bodied - oaky - ripe
yes
A Cretan variety which is on the rise because it makes wines that can range from very complex, mineral and elegant in character to more fruity and aromatic. When grown on higher altitude its aromas are reminiscent of peaches, apricot, bergamot and herbs, with a mineral undertone. Oaky or not.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
floral - stone fruit - toast
Wine style
creamy - Fruity - medium bodied - oaky
yes
Excels on the island of Cephalonia, but is also grown on the neighbouring islands and parts of the Peloponnese. Makes wines that are elegant and complex. Not very intensely aromatic reminds us of lemon, citrus fruit, grapefruit, and fennel. Steely, with nice acidity, medium body, and alcohol.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
citrus fruit - herbal - mineral - stone fruit
Wine style
creamy - elegant - medium bodied
yes
Grown almost all around Greece, a variety which, like Savatiano, used to go into the production of retsina. Nowadays producers are experimenting with the various clones (Roditis Fox in particular) and some very good examples come from sites at altitude, particularly in the region of Aigialia.
Color
rosé
Aromas & flavors
green fruit - herbaceous - stone fruit
Wine style
acidic - elegant - Fruity
yes
A variety that lives mainly in Mantinia in the Peloponnese. Produces wines that have a greyish hue with intense, heady aromas of rose petals, lemon blossom, orange zest, pungent spice, and even some minerality. The wines are crisp, light-bodied and fresh with rather low alcohol.
Color
rosé
Aromas & flavors
citrus fruit - floral - spice
Wine style
acidic - elegant - light bodied
yes
Traditionally grown in the Peloponnese and on the island of Cephalonia. Legend has it was named after some particularly pretty girl with dark features. Makes famous sweet wines, but is recently being vinified in a dry version. The wine shows aromas of black cherry, prunes, asian spices and laurel or sage. Ages beautifully. Really distinctive.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
black fruit - chocolate - herbal - spice
Wine style
elegant - medium bodied - savoury
yes
Born on the island of Santorini but has tried its luck in neighbouring Tinos and in Epanomi, Northern Greece. It makes wines that are deep in colour, high in alcohol and of moderate acidity, with tannins that can do with some ageing. Aromas of wild berries, violets, red cherries, spices and some minerality. Promising.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
black fruit - floral - mineral
Wine style
Fruity - full bodied - powerful - savoury
yes